Watch this video of the book, The Perfect Square.
-Start with a plane white square. You can cut off the edge of a regular piece of paper so it becomes 8 1/2 x 8 1/2.
-Can you use a square and make it into something else? If you want you can draw a few options on a scratch piece of paper.
-Get another square paper of another color. Cut or rip the square and use the pieces to create something. You can then use other colors of paper, magazine or newspaper.
-Add to your collage with more shapes and images, creating layers. You can then use other colors of paper, magazine or newspaper.
This collage is a way to make something out of nothing. The object/person/place is the focus.
Notice how you use the elements of art.